The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: minibn on April 12, 2014, 09:30:35 pm

Title: My turkey won't go in to roost at night help
Post by: minibn on April 12, 2014, 09:30:35 pm

Hi,

I have recently acquired a turkey, and wanted some advice. I have 14 chickens, who all happily make their way to bed at night. I have an automatic door which is great so I don't worry about them. However my turkey just perches on a 4 foot fence at night and doesn't seem to want to go in. I have to pick her up and put her in every night. Is this normal, do turkey's not need to roost like chickens? My turkey is currently living in a shed with the chickens until I can sort other arrangements out. I have heard that they can't live in the same housing due to black head which chickens can carry and infect turkey's.

I am worried that if I don't put her in at night that a fox will take her.  I have lost lots of chickens to fox attacks. Will she ever get the hang of it, or will she always want to be outside? If I thought that she would prefer to be outside I can make her a high perch.

Any advice appreciated

Thanks for reading

 Emily

Title: Re: My turkey won't go in to roost at night help
Post by: HesterF on April 12, 2014, 09:33:14 pm

Not yet got turkeys but I know they prefer bigger houses & higher perches - I've got one of our goose houses lined up once they geese are through their breeding season. BTW, to avoid blackhead, they not only need different housing but different ground entirely. Mine will be about 20m away from the nearest chicken but apparently that's really not enough to remove the risk.

Title: Re: My turkey won't go in to roost at night help
Post by: minibn on April 12, 2014, 09:46:41 pm

Thanks for the reply,

My chickens live in a converted shed, and I do have another shed for my turkey,  however I just need to put it together. I have a pair of geese which live out all year. I wasn't sure if they were really capable of protecting my turkey at night. I would like to think that she might get the hang of going in to roost, because I worry that she is going to make a nice meal for mr fox.

Regards

Emily

Title: Re: My turkey won't go in to roost at night help
Post by: bigchicken on April 12, 2014, 09:54:35 pm

I have had turkeys for the past 3 years just for Christmas and never once did they go in their night quarters had to be put to bed every night even when it was raining or snowing, Never had then to near my chickens although my Scots grey banties like to steel a bit of their feed.

Title: Re: My turkey won't go in to roost at night help
Post by: Pundyburn Lynn on April 17, 2014, 04:51:09 pm

Our Christmas Turkeys always roost on the highest point in the garden - last year it was on the pergola!
 
They have been too high up for any fox to reach and have always survived to the festive period...